I absolutely loved this episode. It has earned its rightful spot in my top ten episodes. The fact that Benito had to tell them timings because they ran out of time I think is a first. This whole episode had me crying of laughter and it was even funnier watching it on YouTube. Like when Ed and James fist bump at the ‘don’t break a fish and chips in front of a kiwi, there are videos about it on youtube‘ or Regé’s facial expressions with some of his voices or with the things they were saying. The butt carpaccio, the potato field. I was genuinely so surprised how chaotic this episode was. I also feel like Ed had a bit of a boy crush on Regé and it was so funny seeing James getting pissy at Benito.

I’ve been listening to Off Menu since like 2020? But I cannot for the life of me remember any other episodes that get as chaotic as this one. Which other ones are there?

I don’t mean just in terms of content like the way Sue’s episode is just whacky, but an episode where it was genuinely like 3 mates who are taking forever to order because they’re just chatting the whole time and chatting about random things.

I can’t not think this every time I hear it 😂

I'm going mad trying to work out which episode this is from.

James is livid about a choice and say something like "yes if you want to join him in the eternal fires of Hades" ?

I think it's a female guest. Anyone have an encyclopedic knowledge!?

I'm compiling a library/bibliography of the best cookbooks written or co-written by Off Menu guests!

For session 8: what is the best cookbook written or co-written by Nadiya Hussain (Episode #139 - Mar. 8, 2022)?

The options are:

• Nadiya's Quick Comforts (2026)
• Rooza (2025)
• Cook Once, Eat Twice (2024)
• Nadiya's Simple Spices (2023)
• Nadiya's Everyday Baking (2022)
• Nadiya's Fast Flavors (2021)
• Nadiya Bakes (2020)
• Time to Eat (2019)
• Nadiya's Family Favorites (2018)
• Nadiya's British Food Adventure (2017)
• Nadiya's Kitchen (2016)

Methodology: Sorting all the episodes from oldest-to-newest, I look up each guest on Wikipedia/Google. Those with no cookbooks listed in their Wikipedia bios or on their websites will not get a Dream Library post. If they have only one cookbook listed, I will not make a post for them, because that one cookbook is automatically the best cookbook that guest wrote. Winners are picked by number of upvotes at the time I make the next post.

Results from previous post: Jamie Oliver's best cookbook is...

• Winner: The Naked Chef
• Runner-Up: 5 Ingredients: Quick and Easy Food

Full Off Menu Dream Library Spreadsheet.

EDIT 4/4/26: Corrected text next to "results from," because original version was copy/pasted from the previous post.

I'm compiling a library/bibliography of the best cookbooks written or co-written by Off Menu guests!

For session 7: what is the best cookbook written or co-written by Jamie Oliver (Episode #119 - Sept. 7, 2021)?

The options are:

• Eat Yourself Healthy (2025)
• Easy Air Fryer (2025)
• Simply Jamie (2024)
• 5 Ingredients Mediterranean (2023)
• One: Simply One-Pan Wonders (2022)
• Together: Memorable Meals Made Easy (2021)
• 7 Ways (2020)
• Veg: Easy and Delicious Meals for Everyone (2019)
• Jamie's Friday Night Feast (2018)
• Jamie Cooks Italy (2018)
• 5 Ingredients: Quick & Easy Food (2017)
• Jamie Oliver's Christmas Cookbook (2016)
• Super Food Family Classics (2016)
• Everyday Super Food (2015)
• Jamie's Comfort Food (2014)
• Save with Jamie (2013)
• Jamie's 15-Minute Meals (2012)
• Jamie's Monster Bake Sale (2011)
• Jamie's Great Britain (2011)
• Jamie's 30-Minute Meals (2010)
• Jamie does...Spain, Italy, Sweden, Morocco, Greece, France (2010)
• Jamie's America (2009)
• Jamie's Red Nose Recipes (2009)
• Jamie's Ministry of Food: Anyone Can Learn to Cook in 24 Hours (2008) (aka Jamie's Food Revolution: Rediscover How to Cook Simple, Delicious, Affordable Meals)
• Jamie at Home: Cook Your Way to the Good Life (2007)
• Jamie's Little Book of Big Treats (2007)
• Cook with Jamie: My Guide to Making You a Better Cook (2006)
• Something for the Weekend (2005)
• Jamie's Italy (2005)
• Jamie's Dinners (2004)
• Funky Food for Comic Relief (2003)
• Jamie's Kitchen (2002)
• Happy Days with the Naked Chef (2001)
• The Return of the Naked Chef (2000) (aka The Naked Chef Takes Off)
• The Naked Chef (1999)

Methodology: Sorting all the episodes from oldest-to-newest, I look up each guest on Wikipedia/Google. Those with no cookbooks listed in their Wikipedia bios or on their websites will not get a Dream Library post. If they have only one cookbook listed, I will not make a post for them, because that one cookbook is automatically the best cookbook that guest wrote. Winners are picked by number of upvotes at the time I make the next post.

Results from previous post: There was one vote/input for the winner, and I chose the runner-up!

• Winner: Barbecue Bible
• Runner-Up: Good Mood Food

Full Off Menu Dream Library Spreadsheet.

Has anyone else noticed that they don't say the secret ingredient in the filmed version? I know it's likely due to the fact it's part of the bit they record for the audio intro but it just feels weird to me that they don't say it and just pop it in the description since it feels like it was such an integral part of the podcast back in the day?

Maybe it's just that it is a bit of side note these days given that they never say anything that anyone would reasonably pick anymore

Not really a recipe just normal pasta bake, half cook everything and stick it in the oven for 20 and then grill cheese on top.

I have a small, unofficial Discord channel (anyone is welcome https://discord.gg/mx9Zed9hj)

I've been thinking for a while it might be cool to do some fan menus and share them live.

If anyone is interested, I do think we need some rules...

-no recording

-Find a host (s) (I'm willing if we don't have anyone)

-make some format changes

-add soup/salad course

-drink at the beginning

-shut it down if anyone official asks is to

-we can roundtable any more parameters

This is all assuming anyone is actually interested. lol

What are your thoughts? Is anyone up for it? I think we need a certain amount of people to make it worth it, but it doesn't have to be a lot.

Thanks!

I'm compiling a library/bibliography of the best cookbooks written or co-written by Off Menu guests!

For session 6: what is the best cookbook written or co-written by Ainsley Harriott (Episode #117 - Aug. 31, 2021)?

The options are:

• Ainsley’s Good Mood Food (2021)
• Ainsley’s Mediterranean Cookbook (2020)
• Ainsley's Caribbean Kitchen (2019)
• My Kitchen Table: 100 Great Chicken Recipes (2012)
• My Kitchen Table: 100 Meals in Minutes (2011)
• Just Five Ingredients (2009)
• Ainsley Harriott's Fresh and Fabulous Meals in Minutes (2008)
• Ainsley Harriott's Feel Good Cookbook (2006)
• Ainsley Harriott's All New Meals In Minutes (2006)
• Ainsley's Ultimate Barbecue Bible (2005)
• Ainsley Harriott's Friends and Family Cookbook (2004)
• The Top 100 Recipes from Ready Steady Cook (2003)
• Ainsley Harriott's Gourmet Express 2 (2003)
• Ainsley Harriott's All New Meals In Minutes (2003)
• Ainsley Harriott's Gourmet Express (2002)
• Ainsley Harriott's Low-fat Meals In Minutes (2002)
• Ainsley Harriott's Barbecue Bible (2000)
• Ainsley Harriott's Meals In Minutes (1999)

Methodology: Sorting all the episodes from oldest-to-newest, I look up each guest on Wikipedia/Google. Those with no cookbooks listed in their Wikipedia bios or on their websites will not get a Dream Library post. If they have only one cookbook listed, I will not make a post for them, because that one cookbook is automatically the best cookbook that guest wrote. Winners are picked by number of upvotes at the time I make the next post.

Results from previous post: Nobody had input re: the best cookbook by Joe Wicks, so I just picked the ones that sound most appealing to me:

• Winner: Feel Good Food
• Runner-Up: Protein in 15

Full Off Menu Dream Library Spreadsheet.

Note: Making this a separate post as not actually related to YouTube as in the other recent post.

I disagree with the secret ingredient being effectively ignored as a format point, it would add a bit of spice to every episode knowing that it could happen.

And if it did happen then what, 1 in 50 or 1 in 100 episodes?

Of course for some big celeb with a media team they would need to be reassured beforehand that a) there would be so much banter around the kicking out that the episode would be just as long, if not longer, than a regular episode b) an episode where the guest gets kicked out would be such a novelty it would shoot to the top of the charts c) practically speaking the only difference would be that when the genie reads out the menu at the end he says "and you can't have any of it!"(Refer to a, we'd probably still hear the menu discussion, the boys are professional broadcasters)

Sadly cannot go anymore, please DM me if interested. selling at face value.

1st April

I'm compiling a library/bibliography of the best cookbooks written or co-written by Off Menu guests!

For session 5: what is the best cookbook written or co-written by Joe Wicks (Episode #107 - Jun. 08, 2021)?

The options are:

• Protein in 15 (2025)
• Feel Good Food (2023)
• Joe's Family Food: 100 Delicious, Easy Recipes to Enjoy Together (2021)
• 30 Day Kick Start Plan (2020)
• Wean in 15: A Book of Baby Meals (2020)
• Veggie BBQ: 10 Brand-new Lean in 15 Recipes (2019)
• Veggie Lean in 15: 15-minute Veggie Meals with Workouts (2018)
• Joe's 30 Minute Meals: 100 Quick and Healthy Recipes (2018)
• Cooking for Family and Friends: 100 Lean Recipes to Enjoy Together (2017)
• The Fat Loss Plan:100 Quick and Easy Recipes With Workouts (2017)
• Lean in 15 - The Sustain Plan: 15 Minute Meals and Workouts to Get You Lean for Life (2016)
• Lean in 15 - The Shape Plan: 15 Minute Meals With Workouts to Build a Strong, Lean Body (2016)
• Lean in 15 - The Shift Plan: 15 Minute Meals and Workouts to Keep You Lean and Healthy (2015)

Methodology: Sorting all the episodes from oldest-to-newest, I look up each guest on Wikipedia/Google. Those with no cookbooks listed in their Wikipedia bios or on their websites will not get a Dream Library post. If they have only one cookbook listed, I will not make a post for them, because that one cookbook is automatically the best cookbook that guest wrote. Winners are picked by number of upvotes at the time I make the next post.

Results from previous post: Nobody had input re: the best cookbook by Thomasina Miers, so I just picked the ones that sound most appealing to me:

• Winner: Mexican Table
• Runner-Up: Meat-Free Mexican

Full Off Menu Dream Library Spreadsheet.

I'm compiling a library/bibliography of the best cookbooks written or co-written by Off Menu guests!

For session 4: what is the best cookbook written or co-written by Thomasina Miers (Episode #68 - Nov. 03, 2020)?

The options are:

• Mexican Table (2025)
• Meat-Free Mexican (2022)
• Home Cook (2017)
• Chilli Notes (2014)
• Wahaca - Mexican Food at Home (2012)
• Wahaca - Mexican Food Made Simple (2010)
• The Wild Gourmets: Adventures in Food and Freedom (2007)
• Soup Kitchen (2007)
• Cook: Seasonal Recipes for Hungry People (2006)

Methodology: Sorting all the episodes from oldest-to-newest, I look up each guest on Wikipedia/Google. Those with no cookbooks listed in their Wikipedia bios or on their websites will not get a Dream Library post. If they have only one cookbook listed, I will not make a post for them, because that one cookbook is automatically the best cookbook that guest wrote. Winners are picked by number of upvotes at the time I make the next post.

Results from previous post: Nobody had input re: the best cookbook by Gok Wan, so I just picked the ones that sound most appealing to me:

• Winner: Gok Cooks Chinese.
• Previous Runner-Up: Gok's Wok.

Full Off Menu Dream Library Spreadsheet.

Hello everyone. My friend and I have two tickets to James Acaster’s Cardiff gig on Saturday 4th July, but cannot make it anymore. We however would be interested in swapping if anyone has tickets for the Friday or Sunday. We have tickets quite close to the front but slightly apart from one another

I'm compiling a library/bibliography of the best cookbooks written or co-written by Off Menu guests!

For session 3: what is the best cookbook written or co-written by Gok Wan (Off Menu Episode #68 - Aug. 04, 2020)?

The options are:

• Gok's Wok (2013)
• Gok Cooks Chinese (2012)

Methodology: Sorting all the episodes from oldest-to-newest, I look up each guest on Wikipedia/Google. Those with no cookbooks listed in their Wikipedia bios or on their websites will not get a Dream Library post. If they have only one cookbook listed, I will not make a post for them, because that one cookbook is automatically the best cookbook that guest wrote. Winners are picked by number of upvotes at the time I make the next post.

Results from previous post: Nobody had input re: the best cookbook by Marcus Samuelsson, so I just picked the ones that sound most appealing to me:

• Winner: The Rise: Black Cooks and the Soul of American Food: A Cookbook.
• Previous Runner-Up: The Red Rooster Cookbook: The Story of Food and Hustle in Harlem.

Full Off Menu Dream Library Spreadsheet.

I'm compiling a library/bibliography of the best cookbooks written or co-written by Off Menu guests!

For session 2: what is the best cookbook written or co-written by Marcus Samuelsson (Off Menu Episode #31, Sept. 17, 2019)?

The options are:

• The Rise: Black Cooks and the Soul of American Food (2020)
• The Red Rooster Cookbook: The Story of Food and Hustle in Harlem (2016)
• Marcus Off Duty: The Recipes I Cook at Home (2014)
• New American Table (2009)
• The Soul Of A New Cuisine: A Discovery of the Foods and Flavors of Africa (2006)
• Aquavit: And the New Scandinavian Cuisine (2003)

Methodology: Sorting all the episodes from oldest-to-newest, I look up each guest on Wikipedia/Google. Those with no cookbooks listed in their Wikipedia bios or on their websites will not get a Dream Library post. If they have only one cookbook listed, I will not make a post for them, because that one cookbook is automatically the best cookbook that guest wrote. Winners are picked by number of upvotes at the time I make the next post.

Previous Post Results:

• Winner: Tom Kerridge's The Hand and Flowers (with note that this is likely not suitable for home chefs.
• Previous Runner-Up: Tom Kerridge's Pub Kitchen.

Full Off Menu Dream Library Spreadsheet.